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10 Frugal Money Saving Tips

By: Catherine Alipio

Break Studios Contributing Writer

Be more money savvy by following these 10 frugal money saving tips. If you’re tired of always being broke and want to save more, these frugal money saving tips may be the answer to your problem.

  1. Stop buying paper towels. Spending money on paper towels can accumulate, especially if you use paper towels for everything from wiping your hands to cleaning your countertops. A good frugal money saving tip is to simply stop buying paper towels. Instead, use cloth napkins and kitchen towels which can be washed and reused.
  2. Reuse paper. Everyone gets mail and you usually wind up with lots of letters and opened envelopes. Reusing these papers is a money saving tip that is not only frugal but also eco-friendly and smart. You can use the back of letters to write notes on and even tearing open an envelope completely has paper that is useable.
  3. Stop buying water bottles. The cost of buying water bottles adds up pretty quickly. You can still stay well hydrated and have enough water for yourself and your family if you invest a little bit of money in a water filter for your faucet or a filtered water pitcher.
  4. Buy generic. A well known frugal money saving tip is to always buy generic. Don’t let brand names and designer labels fool you into spending more than you need to. Opt for store brand grocery products and generic prescriptions to spend less and save more.
  5. Use coupons. Frugal money saving is easy if you take the time to cut out coupons or scour the Internet for discounts. Never pay full price and never shop without first looking for money saving discounts and coupons which are easy to find on websites and in your local newspaper.
  6. Eat at home. You may have heard it from your mother and she was right, one of the best money saving tips is to cook and eat at home. Lots of money is wasted by spending it on restaurants and eating out. It’s cheaper and you get more for your money if you buy the ingredients and cook the dish yourself.
  7. Save scraps. After preparing a meal to cook at home, you’ll often find yourself with lots of leftover unused scraps such as the ends and peelings of vegetables, stems, the outer layers of an onion, and even bones from a chicken. Instead of tossing these out, store them individually in a resealable bag and stick them in your freezer. They can be easily defrosted and used to create stock the next time you are making soup or need broth.
  8. Never go to the grocery store on an empty stomach. One of the worst ways to over spend on a grocery shopping trip is by showing up at the store hungry. You can avoid spending too much by following the simple money saving tip of eating before you go shopping. If your stomach is full and you’re satisfied, you’ll be less likely to buy more than you need at the grocery store.
  9. Wait for sales. A little patience goes a long way when it comes to saving money. If you have your eye on something at the store, don’t pay full price and buy it on the spot, wait for it to go on sale. You can follow up by looking at store ads, going on their website or even asking someone at the store when they are having their next sale.
  10. Run appliances in the evening. Using your dishwasher, washer and dryer during the night hours can save money because it is during off-peak hours. Your energy bill will be cheaper since the rates are lower during these times.
Posted on: Aug. 26, 2010